Rwanda’s Journey in Advancing Gender Equality at Expo 2025 Osaka
At a side event hosted at the Women’s Pavilion during Expo 2025 Osaka, Rwanda showcased its remarkable progress in advancing gender equality over the past three decades. The event highlighted how gender equality has become a cornerstone of post-genocide recovery, inclusive leadership, and sustained policy support for women.
Rwanda’s Ambassador to Japan, Marie Claire Mukasine, emphasized that the country’s achievements in women’s empowerment are rooted in visionary leadership that values equality for all citizens. She noted that Rwanda is recognized globally for having a majority of women in its parliament, which she described as a foundation for the nation’s ongoing efforts.
The event, held under the theme “Rwanda and Gender Equality Progress & Vision,” brought together voices from both Rwanda and Japan to discuss the power of women in shaping inclusive societies. Mukasine pointed out that Rwanda’s policy environment includes strong collaboration between the government and the private sector to promote development.
“Private and public partnerships are essential because they allow for dialogue on issues that may not be fully understood by the government alone,” she said. She also highlighted the well-organized private sector in Rwanda, from national to local levels, which plays a crucial role in shaping a conducive business environment through engagement with policymakers.
Expo 2025 Osaka, running from April 13 to October 13, features 158 participating countries showcasing solutions under the theme “Designing Future Societies for Our Lives.”
Access to finance was another key topic discussed at the event. Mukasine mentioned the Business Development Fund (BDF), a government financial institution that supports women and youth by easing access to capital. She also spoke about the presence of Saving and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs) in every district, which provide collateral for small businesses and offer capacity-building programs for women in rural areas.
For Sakina Usengimana, CEO of Afrifoods, this supportive ecosystem has made a tangible difference for women entrepreneurs in Rwanda. She noted that policies in Rwanda encourage women to start businesses and that platforms like the Development Bank of Rwanda help women access finance, even up to 75% collateral support.
Usengimana, who launched her agribusiness in 2019, shared how initiatives such as Youth Connekt, Hanga Pitch Fest, Aguka, and the Imbuto Foundation’s Imari Agrichallenge enable young women to pitch ideas, receive mentorship, and secure startup funding. She emphasized that seeing other women succeed gives confidence to aspiring entrepreneurs.
Mukasine also highlighted Rwanda’s focus on empowering rural communities through inclusive policies in education, vocational training, and grassroots entrepreneurship. She noted that while completing primary school was once a challenge, every child now has access to 12 years of basic education. The expansion of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVETs) has enabled youth to gain practical skills and create jobs.
In rural areas, short-term trainings and startup toolkits, such as sewing machines or hair salon equipment, have transformed the lives of many youths. “It may seem small, but it’s transformative,” she added.
Sanae Endo, a women’s rights advocate from Japan with over 25 years of experience in human resources, expressed admiration for Rwanda’s high female representation in decision-making roles. She stressed that company policies are often shaped by men, and for women’s voices to be heard, there needs to be a certain level of representation.
Endo also emphasized the importance of mentorship in women’s empowerment, encouraging cross-generational and cross-cultural learning to foster growth and inclusivity.
